Measurement of electrically conductive material, particularly upon a nonconductive base



Oct. 15, 1940. N, LANGER MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRICALLY CQNDUCTIVE "ATERIA PARTICULARLY UPON A NONCONDUCTIVE BASE Filad D66. 28, 1937 IIIIIIIII'II'A "I'm" INVENTOR NICHOL no AAA 65R BY w dun M ATTORNEY mcuu/u r054 r04 Tammi" 35 have been known to be relatively unstable, and free from the disadvantages and inconveniences 35 Patented Oct. 15, i940 I I r i a I l I UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEASUREMENT OF ELEcTRIoALLY o DUCTIVE MATERIAL, I PARTICULARLY UPON A NONCONDUCTIVE BASE Nicholas Langer, New York, N. Y., assignor to Technical Measurement Corporation, Ridgewood, N. J a corporation of New Jersey 1 Application December 28,1937, Serial No. 182,076

In Great Britain December.29, 1936 13 Claims. (01. 17 5-183) This invention relates broadly to the measuretions, and to employ thermopiles or the like to ment of electrically conductive material particuregister the amount .of radiation passed through larly upon a nonconductive base. It relates the film. This procedure in' turn has provided .more especially to the art of photographic printand caused new problems and difiiculties in pro-,

5 ing, reversing or enlarging, and, more particuducing the suitable radiations, concentrating 5 larly, to an improved method of and apparatus them, and in the relatively low sensitivity of for integrating the translucency of a photothermopiles. Thermopiles are highly subject to graphic film in order to determine the preferred the effect of various disturbing factors, such as intensity of illumination on the printing surface. changes in the surrounding temperature which The film the translucency of which is being either has to be maintained constant or has to 10.

measured may be moving or still. be compensated for. I

For many years, efforts have been'made au Clearly, a grave problem has existed for a conmatically to determine the intensity of the light siderable length of'time in the art of photoemployed for printing or reversing a photographic printing, reversing and enlarging in congraphic negative in accordance with the density nection with the integrating of films to bev printed 15 thereof. As those skilled in the art know, conor copied. Although from time to time various ventional integrating methods and apparatus suggestions and proposals have been made to invariably have involved the use 'of radiationsolve the outstanding problems and to provide a sensitive devices, such as photo-electric cells, completely satisfactory integrating device, none selenium cells, thermopiles and the like. When of these various suggestions and proposals, sofar 20 it has been desired to determine the preferred as I am aware, has been completely satisfactory intensity of illumination, a beam of light havingand successful when carried into practice on a constant intensity has been passed through the practical and industrial scale. film subjected to the measurement, and subse- Under certain circumstances, notably in conquently impressed upon the light sensitive cell. nection with the reversal of negative motion pic- 25 The varyi i te ity o he li t beam impi ture films into positives, it is desirable automatiing upon the cell has varied the electrical condi-' cally to measure the density while the film is wet tion of the cell, for example its resistance, and or completely immersed in a liquid. So far as I the variation in the cell and in the circuits assoam aware, no radiation responsive device can be ciated therewith has been employed as an indiemployed under such conditions. 30 cation as to the translucency of the film. I have discovered a simple satisfactory solution Various disadvantages and inconveniences of these problems, ha've been connected with these conventional in- It is an object of the present invention to protegrating devices. Thus, photo-electric cells vide a novel method of integrating films which is subject to ageing and variations in their light of conventional methods. sensitivity. In order to derive useful results, a It is another object of the invention to prolarge number of factors, such as the intensity of vide a novel and improved method of integrating the light beam, the wave length of the light films to be printed, reversed or enlarged which 40 emitted, the sensitivity of the cells, and the like completely dispenses with the application of 40 have had to be controlled and maintained conoptical radiations of visible or invisible wavestant with extreme care. Optical problems have length and instead employs an electro-magnetie had to be overcome in directing a suitable beam .field afiected by the metallic deposit of the film. of light through the film and in impressing it It is a further object of the invention to proupon the cell. vide a fundamentally novel method of determin- 45 Moreover, the usefulness of many of the mething the transparency of a film, which operates ods and apparatus previously proposed has been equally satisfactorily with a film which has been limited to conventional printing processes where developed and fixed and with a film which is still there was no objection against exposing the film sensitive to the effect of radiation. This novel to be integrated o M ht. In various method reduces the determination of transpar- 50 cases, however, such as for example in the inteency to measuring the amount of metallic degrating operations connected with reversing posit or its distribution on the surface of the films, it has been necessary to employ radiations film.

which do not affect the light sensitive layer of Moreover, the invention also contemplates an the film, such for example, as infra-red radiaapparatus for carrying the process of the invention into practice in a simple, practical and foolproof manner.

It is also within contemplation of the invention to provide a simple and efiicient integrating device, which is simple in construction, eflicient and inexpensive in operation, and may be manufactured and operated at a low cost.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in Which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention in an integrating device, and

Figure 3 depicts the novel integrating device associated with a treating tank.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the structure of Figure 1 illustrating my invention as practiced with a thermocouple.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the structure of Figure 1 illustrating my invention as practiced with a vacuum tube voltmeter.

Broadly stated, according to the principles of the invention an electro-magnetic field of alternating character is provided and the film to be integrated is passed in proximity to or through said field. As those skilled in the art know, all photographic films both in finished and unfinished condition embody finely distributed metallic particles in the form of emulsions. These metallic particles, constituted in most cases of silver in finely distributed form, will absorb a portion of the electro-magnetic energy present in the electro-magnetic' field which is employed. Thus, the field will be varied or distorted by the presence of the metallic particles and the variations caused in the intensity or distribution of the field may be employed as an indication of the amount of silver particles on the surface of the film under measurement. Since the amount of silver present or remaining on the surface of the film determines the transparency thereof, the measurement of light permeability or translucency is reduced or converted into a measurement of electro-magnetic character,

I have found that in view of the minute character of the metallic deposits an electro-magnetic field of high frequency should-be employed in order to obtain sufficient and readily measurable variations. Preferably, alternating currents or oscillations having a frequency of several millions are employed having the character of the short or ultra-short waves employed in the art of radio. Of course, a great variety of arrangements may be employEi both for the production of these oscillations and for the provision of an electro-magnetic field thereby.-

Likewise, a great number of circuits and arrangements may be employed for measuring the variations or distortions of the electro-magnetic field established and for utilizing such measurements for the automatic adjustment of light sources and apertures, as is customary in the art of automatic printing: Therefore, the following description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention are merely illustrative of the various forms the invention may take.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, a film H is passed from a carrier l2 to a second carrier I 3, At an intermediate portion of the film an energy transmitting coil [4 is provided having its axis substantially vertical to the surface of the film and connected as by a circuit l5 to a source of high frequency electrical energy. 0n the other side of the film is arranged an energy receiving or exploring coil l6 which is connected to a measuring instrument, responsive to high frequency electrical energy, such as for example a high frequency microammeter, tube voltmeter, thennocouple, or the like.

In Figure 1 the measuring instrument I! is a high frequency micro-ammeter. Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the subject matter of Figure 1. In Figu1e4 l6 represents an exploring coil corresponding to coil l6 of Figure 1 and 39 a conventional thermocouple which is read as by a millivoltmeter l'l' calibrated directly in amperes or in any other desired conventional manner. Similarly in Figure 5 the exploring coil l6" corresponds to the exploring coil I6 of Figure 1 while the measuring instrument is represented as a vacuum tube voltmeter.

From the preceding description the operation of this preferred embodiment will be readily understood. The energy transmitting coil l4, connected to a source of high frequency energy, will establish a high frequency electro-magnetic field through the film and will set up a current of similar frequency in the exploring coil I6. The varying amount and distribution of metallic particles on the surface of the explored film will cause absorption of electrical energy so that part of the energy will be dissipated in the body of such particles and will not reach the exploring coil I6. The decrease in the electric current set up in the explorer circuit and coil as indicated by the instrument I! is a function of the amount of metallic particles present on the surface of the film and itherefore an indication of the transparency of the film at the explored portion thereof. The variation in the intensity of the current in the exploring circuit may be suitably amplified, if necessary, and may be employed in conventional manner to actuate and to adjust various elements affecting the progress of printing, reversing or enlarging, as this is customary in the art. Such variations, for example, may change the eifectiveness of a printing light, or of a flashing light in the process of reversal,

by the introduction of screens into the path of in Figure 2 is particularly advantageous when very great sensitivity is desired. A film 2| is passedbetween carriers 22 and 23 and in the proximity of an exploring coil 30. The exploring coil 30 is connected in a conventional oscillation producing circuit I constituted of a thermionic valve 24, a tapped inductance 25. and a variable condenser 26. Filament current and plate current are supplied to the thermionic valve by a filament battery 28 and a plate battery 21, respectively. The exploring coil 30 is connected in series with the inductance 25 and forms part of the total inductance in the circuit. As those skilled in the art know; a circuit of the described character produces electrical oscillations the frequency of which is determined by various factors including the total capacity and inductance in the circuit. The inductance 25 is loosely coupled with another inductance or secondary inductance 29 which is connect-ed in a circuit 11 of tuned character with a variable condenser 3|- and a measuring instrument 32. It is desirable to keep the total resistance and thus the damptively. In view of the similarity of construction,-

explored passes.

quency response.

It will be readily understood by those skilled image, as distinct from successive images as upon in the art the measuring instrument 32 may 'be either the high frequency micro-ammeter of Figure 1, a thermocouple as of Figure 4, a tube voltmeter as of Figure 5 or the like.

When beginning the measuring operation, the circuits I and II are so adjusted, for example by means of the variable condensers 26 and 3|, that the frequency of the high frequency current produced in circuit I will be identical with the frequency to which circuit II is tuned. In View of the fact that the exploring coil 30 is connected with the inductance 25, it will establish an electro-magnetic field through which the film to be The metallic particles forming the surface layer of the film 2| will absorb part of the energy present in said electro-magnetic field and will vary the apparent inductivity of the coil 30. This in turn will change the frequency of the oscillations produced in circuit I. In view of the fact that circuit II, which is coupled to circuit I, is sharply tuned to the original frequency of circuit I, a very slight change in frequency will cause a very substantial decrease in the amount of current transferred to circuit II which decrease is readily indicated by the instrument 32. If desired, one or several intermediate tuned circuits may be interposed between circuits I and II all of which are tuned to the same frequency and are coupled to. each other, further to increase the sensitivity of the arrangement, as the selectivity of a conventional radio receiver may be increased by employing a plurality of tuned circuits. As in the arrangement of Figure 1, the variations in current intensity in circuit II and indicated by the instrument 32 may be employed in any conventional or preferred manner to change the effectiveness of a printing or reversal light or otherwise control a printing or reversing operation.

Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the arrangement of Figures 1 or 2. In this modification, the exploring coil 38 is submerged in a treating tank 36, containing a treating liquid 31. A film 33, to be treated, is guided through the tank by means of rollers 34 and 35 in such manner that the film passes in the immediate proximity of the exploring coil. Although the treating liquid will provide additional absorption of electrical energy, this additional absorption is of a constant character and may be readily compensated for in the determination of the desirable illumination from the amount of metallic deposit on the film The coil 38, it will be seen, maybe substituted for the coils l6 and 30 of Figures 1 and 2 respecthe operation of this modified embodiment will be readily understood by those skilled in the art without any further explanation.

Although the present invention hasbeen described in connection with a few preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications may be resorted toby those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the presisired to measure the transparency of a single" a motion picture film, the measurement of said image is compared with the figure representing the transparency of an image of known density or the current-change caused by said image is employed to adjust a printing or reversing light.

I claim.

1. The method of exploring the translucency of a photographic film which comprises establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field, subjecting to said field a film to be explored thereby causing variations in the distribution of said field, anddetermining the translucency of the film by measuring said variations and hence determining the treatment towhich the film shall be subjected. l

2. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film, comprising establishing an alternating electro-magnetic fieldand an electric circuit associated therewith, subjecting a film to said field thereby causing variations in said associated circuit in accordance with the variations.

in the density of .the film, and determining the density of the film by measuring said variations.

3. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film, comprising establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field, establishing an electric circuit associated with said field, treating the film with a liquid, subjecting the film while wet to said field thereby causing variations in said associated circuit in accordance with the variations in the density of the film, and determining the translucency of said film from said variations;

4. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film, comprising establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field, establishing an electric circuit associated with said field, subjecting the film to said field thereby causing variations in said associated circuit in accordance with the variations in thedensity of the film, measuring said variations -by a thermocouple, and using said measurements to determine the treatment to which thefilm shall be subjected.

6. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film, comprising establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field of high frequency, establishing an electriccircuit associated with said field, subjecting the film to said field thereby causing variations in said associated circuit, and determining the density of said film from said variations. 1

7. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film, comprising establishing an alternating electromagnetic field of radio frequency, establishing an electric circuit associated with said field, subjecting the film to said field thereby causing variations in said associated circult, and determining the density of said film from said variations.

8. The method of measuring the density of a photographic film.which comprises establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field by a gen- 76 erating circuit, initially tuning a second electric circuit to the same frequency as said generating circuit, loosely coupling said second circuit to said first or generating circuit, subjecting a photographic film to said ileld thereby causing relatively large variations in said second or coupled circuit, and measuring said variations to determine the density of the film.

9. The method of determining the efiectiveness of a light to which a film is subjected as for the purpose of printing or reversal which comprises establishing an alternating electro-magnetic field, associating an electric circuit with said field, subjecting the film to said field-thereby causing variations in said associated circuit, and using said variations to control the effectiveness of said light.

10. In an apparatus for measuring the density of a photographic film, means for creating an alternating electro-magnetic field, means for subjecting a photographic film to said field, and means responsive to the variations in the alternations of said field for determining the density of the film.

11. In an apparatus for measuring the density of a photographic film, means for creating an electro-magnetic field, means. for processing the film including the application of moisture thereto, means for subjecting the film to said field while it is wet, and means responsive to the variations in the alternations of said field for determining the density of the filin.

12. In an apparatus for measuring the density of a photographic film, means for creating an alternating electro-magnetic field, a secondary circuit associated with said field, means for subjecting -a photographic film to said field thereby causing variations in said secondary circuit, and means responsive to said variations in said secondary circuit for determining the density of the film.

13. In an apparatus for measuring the density of a photographic film, a generating circuit which establishes an alternating electro-magnetic field, a second electrical circuit loosely coupled to said first circuit, means for initially tuning said second circuit to the same frequency as said generating circuit, means for subjecting a photographic film to said field thereby causing relatively large variations in said second or coupled circuit, and means for measuring said variations thereby determining the density of the film.

NICHOLAS LANGER. 

